The mature oil/gas source rocks exist mainly in Jurassic strata in the northwest and in Tertiary strata in the west of Qaidam Basin. Oil and gas generated from the mature hydrocarbon source rocks in the Jurassic and Tertiary mainly accumulate in Tertiary formations in the Qaidam Basin. The main sedimentary facies in Tertiary formations include alluvial plain, lakeshore, shallow lake, semi-deep lake, alluvial fans, fan delta and sublacustrine fan. However, there were no fluvial facies. Most of the alluvial plain facies and lakeshore facies are very narrow and they become wide only where basin-bounding faults are present. Most parts of the basin are filled with shallow lake sediments such as pelitic siltstone and silty sandstone. The deposition systems have determined the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation patterns in Tertiary formations in different parts of the basin. In the inner basin where continuous permeable formations are absent, faults and fractures are the main pathways. Fractured rocks are the main reservoir types. Along the basin margins where continuous permeable formations occur in abundance, faults and fractures are also the main pathways. Therefore, the faults and fractures are very important for the hydrocarbon migration and accumulation. Four migration and accumulation models have been developed based on this study: (1) Migration and accumulation model through thrust faults. This model is mainly for migration and accumulation at the basin margin. The mudrock associated with the major fault is about 10 m thick so that there exist the hanging wall and footwall migration and accumulation zones. Where the major fault extends into source rocks areas, hydrocarbon migrated to and accumulated in the reservoir in the hanging wall. Otherwise, the faults just seal the reservoir in the footwall. (2) Migration and accumulation model through combined syn-depositional reverse faults and strike-slip faults. This model is also mainly for migration and accumulation at basin margins in which the strike-slip faults control different kinds of sedimentary fans and connections with hydrocarbon source areas; they are very suitable for hydrocarbon accumulation. (3) Migration and accumulation model through recoil faults. This model is mainly for migration and accumulation in fractured reservoirs in the inner basin region. (4) Migration and accumulation model through superficial thrust fault and lower strike-slip fault complex. This is mainly for migration and accumulation in the north of Qaidam Basin where the reservoirs are at the footwall of the superficial thrust faults.

Hydrocarbn explusion threshold (HET) is the critical condition for hydrocarbon expulsion in separate phase from a source rock when the generated hydrocarbon amount has satisfied all needs for ahsorpBon by minerals, solution in water, and blocking of capillary pressure. Research results show that the HET varies mainly with three geological parameters: total organic carbon content (C%), kerogen type index (KTI) and thermal maturation degree (R0). Source rocks with low C% and KTI cross the HET at a high level of maturation degree (larger R0); source rocks with lower R0 and C% can also cross the HET if the kerogen has a larger KTI. Under general geological conditions, a source rock first crosses the methane expulsion threshold (HETgl), then the heavw hydrocarbon gas threshold (HETgn), and finally the liquid hydrocarbon expulsion threshold (HET0). In this paper the concept of HET, and its critical conditions, are applied to establish the scientific validity of the concept and grade the source rocks, to study the phases of hydrocarbons in migration and the mechanisms of hydrocarbon acvumulation, and to divide the hydrocarbon expulsion into stages. Applications to different basins in China show that HET provides an accurate and efficient method to guide oil and gas prospecting.

Geological analysis and physical analogy exponments indicate that, under geological conditions, hydrocarbon tends to migrate along a path of least resistance and attempt to follow the largest buoyancy component There are four generalized modes of possible transport. First. hydrocarbons rends to migrate along the pathways with high porosity and permeability, and with a large grade difference relative to surrounding rocks (grade difference predominance): second, hydrocarbons rends to migrate in the opposite direction in oxverlying formations to the nadir of the sedimentation centre (divided syncline predominance): third. hydrocarbons tends to migrante in the direction of lower fluid pressure (fluid pressure predominance); fourth, hydrocarbons tends to migrate in the direction vertical to buoyancy (flow direction predominance). This paper reports on field observations in the Daqing oilfield area of China and also on physical analog experiments used to illuminate the four basic modes of transport Under geological conditions, the hydrocarbon migration pathways are controlled by these four basic modes, which can he used to predict the directions of hydrocarbons migration and select favourable exploration locations.